What kind of dental equipment are you?

Dental assistants use a wide array of instruments, tools, and equipment throughout the day. While each one serves a different purpose, they are used collectively to provide quality care. Similarly, dental assistants have unique work styles that must collaborate to treat patients and help keep the office running smoothly.

Over time, you might see parallels between your work style and the roles certain dental equipment plays. You may see yourself in one of these “personalities,” a combination of a few, or even in parts of all of them!

Autoclave

An autoclave is dependable for many reasons. It sterilizes instruments all day, every day to keep up with a full schedule of appointments. Autoclaves are a central part of infection control in dental offices. Dental assistants use this machine to help streamline infection control processes and prepare instruments for the next appointment. The durability of an autoclave allows it to last several years and be one of the most reliable pieces of equipment in the practice.

Worker type

If this reflects your work style, you are probably a seasoned professional, and your coworkers often turn to you for your expertise. Level-headed individuals like you help set the tone for the rest of the office. You always adhere to safety protocols and never overlook the importance of the routine aspects of the job. As a proactive dental assistant, you typically like to arrive at work early to prepare yourself and the workstations for a busy day with patients.

Hand instruments

Hand instruments each have a designated role when contributing to patient care. For instance, explorers help examine the surface of a tooth while scalers remove plaque and tartar. These instruments work in tandem with others to clean teeth and prepare the mouth for further treatment. Dental assistants are well versed in the functions of each instrument and can anticipate which the dentist needs at different points in a procedure.

Worker type

Dental assistants like you contribute to every part of the office and like to get into the nitty-gritty of a problem. As a team player, you work well with other staff members to provide the best possible care for patients. You bring a versatile skillset to the table and, as a lifelong learner, enjoy continually building your knowledge. Whether it’s cross-training in another area of the practice or taking continuing education courses, you are constantly finding new opportunities that benefit both your career and the office.

X-ray unit

Dental assistants take radiographs to help identify the root cause of an issue. With a full picture of the mouth, it’s easier for dentists to diagnose problems, highlight areas of concern with the patient, and discuss viable treatment options. Dental assistants ensure all safety protocols are followed when exposing radiographs so they get the necessary images without compromising the safety of patients.

Worker type

You’re the go-to problem solver in the office and can rely on your experience and skillset to inform your decisions. You take the time to fully evaluate the root of a problem before rushing into action. If there’s an emergency appointment, an anxious patient, or a scheduling backup, you take charge with your ability to stay composed in a crisis situation. The dedication to your position as a dental assistant fuels your leadership skills and motivates the rest of your team.

Saliva ejector

Dental assistants use saliva ejectors during appointments and procedures to repeatedly clear saliva, water, and other debris from the patient’s mouth. These tools are crucial since they allow clearer visibility for the dental team. With their mouth clear of debris, patients are more comfortable and are less likely to swallow or choke on anything.

Worker type